Well, I’m sure the hot topic these past few days has been New Year’s Resolutions. How many of us have tried to make resolutions like lose a million lbs and wake up 2 hours early and blah blah blah. Well, I was going to write this post about the statistics around New Year’s Resolutions and tips for making positive changes in the new year, but instead, I am going to post about one thing I want to emphasize in my life this year:

Taking more time to do what I want to do

Taking more time to do what you want to do is really important. My cousin, Gerard (photo below), and I had a big discussion about that this past week. He firmly believes in allowing yourself a minimum of 1 hour per day to take time for YOU. During that hour, you can do whatever you want to do as long as it is something that you truly want to do. Well, in this discussion, I realized that I don’t even come close to 7 hours a week just doing what I want to do. Then it’s always cramming stuff in that I want to do when I can squeeze out some time in my life. And, because I try to cram everything in during a short window of time, I wind up getting more stressed or exhausted.

As a freelancer, it’s really hard to find time to do things for me. I can’t say “no” to gigs because I worry that I won’t make enough money or I won’t make the connection that I need for a breakthrough. But really, after three years in the same city, I know deep down, what gigs I can pass up. Now I just need to gain the courage to say NO to allow me time to do the things I value most.

The tip: Take time for yourself! Aim for at least one hour per day!

Things I am hoping to make more time for: Crafting, photography, attending choir practice, cooking, relaxing, exercising, reading, spending time with family, spending time with friends, coursework.

This is going to be a good year.

BELOW: Photos of my cousins ringing in the new year with me!

My Cousins and Boyfriend celebrating New Year's Day. From left to right: Gerard (check out his band here), Katie, Erin, Christine, Jenny, and Dave

"The Train will be delayed due to ongoing signal work" That is what we heard as we sat on the Subway on New Year's Day 2012, waiting for it to take us to the Mummer's Parade! From left to right: Katie, Gerard, Erin, Jenny.

Gerard and Erin riding another subway on the way to the Mummer's Parade. Don't they look like they should be famous!?

Jenny blowing her horn on new Year's 2011-2012. Jenny is super creative and made the hat she is wearing. Notice the crazy neighbors on my block setting off GIGANTIC fireworks!? A few of them almost hit us.

The photo we took in a mirror at my house. The goal was to send the parents a pic of all of us. From left to right: Jenny, Dave, Christine, Me, Gerard, Katie, Erin. Happy New Year!